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Sunday, February 16th
Invaluable is an auction site that has an air of classiness that perfectly complements the exquisite, often opulent pieces that you'll find on its platform. You'll quickly discover that Invaluable is not just another online marketplace; it's a sophisticated auction site that specializes in the sale of fine art.
Global presence and well-renowned
Established in 2009, Invaluable is headquartered in Boston, with a global presence spanning the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, and Australia. The company holds a distinguished reputation that has earned them recognition from prominent media outlets such as the Boston Globe, Art News, Architectural Digest, Tech Crunch, and the Wall Street Journal.
Start browsing by art category
If you've set your sights on collecting the works of a specific artist, Invaluable's artist directory is the best place to get started. You can use the site to explore a curated selection of artists whose works are currently up for auction. You can even trace the path of their art by reviewing previously sold pieces, giving you insights into the market value of their creations. For example, upcoming auctions at the time of this review included:
There are many others to choose from, but these help explain the types of art you might find during an initial browsing session.
Must be a legitimate business to sell
If you want to be a seller, there's an important detail to be aware of: Invaluable has a stringent policy regarding consignments. Unlike the typical online marketplace, Invaluable doesn't permit individuals to consign their art on their platform. To be a seller on Invaluable, you must hold a legitimate business or auctioneer's license. If you're an individual with a passion for art and an inclination to consign, Invaluable suggests you reach out to one of their affiliated auction houses to explore the possibility of your art being accepted.
Three ways to buy
When you get to the shopping and bidding, Invaluable introduces you to three ways to acquire art. The first option is the timed auction, a unique experience where items are open for bidding within a set timeframe, allowing for absentee bidding. In a timed auction, the highest bidder when the clock runs out secures the lot. You can also choose to participate in live auctions, where you watch the action unfold in real time and actively participate until the item is sold. Finally, Invaluable lets you purchase items outright at their listed prices, providing a convenient route to obtain art without the anxiety of bidding (and potentially losing).
Competitive with common items despite art focus
The inventory at Invaluable offers categories from fine art and decorative art to jewelry, collectibles, furniture, Asian art and antiques, guns and firearms, wines and spirits, and more. Whether you're shopping for dainty earrings or a vintage 1931 Ford truck, there are plenty of items to browse at Invaluable. Given that Invaluable's primary focus is on art, it's unsurprising that a substantial majority of the items on their platform carry price tags in the range of hundreds to thousands of dollars, reflecting the value of the art they curate.
Comparison results
Now, the comparison for inventory is a little tougher at Invaluable than at other auction sites due to the narrow focus. To compare the selection at Invaluable with other companies in this review, we used the same three search terms at every auction site. These are watches, autographed items, and iPads. This gives you a clear idea of how different sites stack up in terms of their inventory diversity. At Invaluable we found the following results:
While there were a handful of iPad-related items, it shouldn't come as a shock that an art-focused auction site doesn't deal in modern technology. But, considering the company's focus, we also checked the inventory for art, since that's the company's specialty. Invaluable offered 75,189 results for the category "fine art” at the time of this review, which is an impressive number of art pieces. Notably, this doesn't include inventory for "decorative art” or jewelry which are separate categories.
Best spot for art enthusiasts
It's no secret that Invaluable's specialization is art, fine art, and antiques. If you're looking to add to your collection (or to a local museum) you can find tons of one-of-a-kind art pieces at Invaluable. For example, you can find authentic items like an ancient Egyptian mummy mask or a 1930s oil painting. Basically, this is the stop for the pro or casual art enthusiast.
Returns are handled by each auction house
Like many other auction sites in this review, Invaluable serves as a platform for various independent auction houses and galleries. So, each auction house deals with its own policies regarding refunds, returns, and exchanges. These terms can typically be found on the item details page while you're shopping. However, Invaluable itself doesn't provide any blanket return policy or any indication that it will step in for you if there are problems with a seller.
Impressive user reviews
While Invaluable may hold a "C” rating from the Better Business Bureau, this rating is derived from a single unanswered complaint on the BBB's website. The voices of customers who have shared their experiences elsewhere online paint a brighter picture. In general, Invaluable holds a 4-star average and receives plenty of praise for its high-quality auctions and unique art pieces. Testimonials reaffirm Invaluable's reputation as a trustworthy and enjoyable destination for art enthusiasts. While there were a handful of complaints like the one on the BBB page, they covered topics like frustration with photo quality or other small problems with the site in general.
Top option for art auctions
If you're on the hunt for timeless and invaluable art that transcends the offerings of ordinary stores, Invaluable is the platform for you. Their association with prestigious entities like Sotheby's, Freeman's, Bonhams, Phillips, Tajan, and others stands as a testament to their reputation and the high-quality, in-demand items they offer. As you explore the world of fine art, Invaluable offers impressive curated collections to help you sift through the art to find the perfect piece. If you're not an art fan, you might not find what you need at Invaluable. But, if you're seeking exquisite art that holds both value and beauty, Invaluable is a choice worth considering.
If you're on the hunt for used items or rare finds, online auctions can be the best place to look. Just a quick search will reveal tons of online auction websites designed to help you sell or buy a wide array of goods. These digital marketplaces serve as the perfect arena for individuals to trade everything from household products and furniture to antiques, electronics, collectibles, cars, and clothing.
Online auctions offer a distinct advantage by granting you access to unique products that might otherwise be hard to find at traditional stores. Whether you're looking for rare collectibles or a very specific item that's not on the market anymore, online auctions are the best place to go. With the potential to score incredible deals or sell items at a price that feels fair to you, there are tons of benefits to shopping at an online auction.
If you're looking to sell, you wield the power to showcase your items in an online auction. You can rest assured that thousands (maybe even millions) will see your items, helping you get the best deal out there. However, what truly defines the charm of these platforms is the democratic nature of the bidding system. Anyone can partake by placing their bids, each incrementally elevating the price of the item. Once the curtain falls on the auction, the highest bidder emerges victorious, earning the privilege to claim their prize. This means you might even make more money on your sale than you expected if a bidding war ensues.
If you're on the other side of the auction - looking to buy, or simply an enthusiastic shopper in search of that elusive, one-of-a-kind item - you can tailor your choice of online auction sites to your needs. Whether you're looking for a vintage locket or the newest Apple Watch, you can find anything and everything on these platforms. Plus with low starting prices, online auctions transform seemingly unattainable items into tangible acquisitions that you could win at the click of a button. You'll have access to great deals and rare finds that you might not stumble upon in your local stores.
As you venture into the realm of online auctions, you'll find that not all platforms are created equal. The key to a fulfilling online auction experience is finding a platform that offers a top-notch user experience.
If you're not sure how to start narrowing down your options, here are some criteria to bear in mind as you browse:
To help you find the best online auction site out there today, Top Consumer Reviews reviewed and ranked different platforms so that you don't need to worry about it. We hope that our reviews will serve as a compass, guiding you to the platforms that best align with your selling-and-shopping pleasure, so that you can focus on what's most important: uncovering those new and exciting items at outstanding prices (or connecting with buyers who will pay top dollar for what you have).
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